Officers then pulled in front and began slowing to a stop, hoping the Tesla's driver-assist feature was on and would do the same.

Published Dec 3, 2018 at 7:47 PM

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This June 6, 2018, file photo shows the exterior of a Tesla auto showroom in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in New York, N.Y.

The California Highway Patrol said it used the autopilot of a speeding Tesla to stop the car after its driver fell asleep behind the wheel.

The CHP said that around 3:30 a.m. Friday, officers spotted a Tesla Model S doing about 70 mph on U.S. 101 in Redwood City, California.

The CHP cruiser pulled behind and used its lights and siren but the driver didn't wake up.

Officers then pulled in front and began slowing to a stop, hoping the Tesla's driver-assist feature was on and would do the same.

Japan Takes Lead In Auto Reliability

Tesla and other domestic brands landed in the bottom half of Consumer Reports' latest reliability rankings, which covers 29 automakers. The most reliable new cars come from Asian brands led by Lexus, Toyota and Mazda.

(Published Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018)

Tesla hasn't confirmed whether the car was on autopilot but the tactic worked. The Tesla stopped.

Forty-five-year-old Alexander Samek of Los Altos was awakened and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. It's unclear whether he has a lawyer.